At the same time, the government began sending payments to low-income Indonesians. National Development and Planning Minister Armida Alisjahbana said that 15.5 million people are eligible with families getting $302 a year in two installments.

Anton Supit, chairman of the Indonesian Employers Association, accused the government of playing "political games." He said the association hoped that savings from the cut in fuel subsidies would be used to fund education and infrastructure programs.

Faisal Basri, an economist, said he believed most Indonesians would support rising fuel prices if they believed politicians are honest. He said the direct payments will have little long-lasting impact on the families that receive them.